THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

EOSG/CENTRAL

3 May 2002

Dear Ambassador Arystanbekova,

I should like to thank you for your letter of 19 April 2002 and for your book 'The and '.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your passionate support for the work of the United Nations. Your book is a clear testimony of your commitment and is without doubt a welcome addition to the history of the Organization. I was most touched by the kind words that you dedicated to me.

With assurances of my highest consideration.

Kofi A. Annan

Her Excellency Ms. Akmaral Arystanbekova Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France Paris AMBASSADEUR

DE LA REPUBLIQUE DU 19 April 2002 KAZAKHSTAN EN FRANCE

His Excellency Mr. S ecretary-General United Nations New York

Dear Mi'. Secretary-General,

_Ten years ago, on 2 March 1992, the Republic of Kazakhstan was admitted to the United Nations.

It fell to me to lay the ground for my country's admission to the United Nations and to speak on that historic day from its rostrum, on behalf of the President and the people of Kazakhstan. I became the first Permanent Representative of an independent Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations and for eight years served my country in this authoritative Organization.

JTo coincide with the 10th anniversary of my country's admission to the family of nations, I have written a book, entitled "The United Nations and Kazalffistan", about this historic event, the first steps of my country as a Member State and its subsequent active and fruitful cooperation with the Organization.

My great respect for and loyalty to the United Nations and clear awareness of its unique role and responsibility in the modern system of international relations constitute a cross-cutting theme of the book. My work as a Vice-President of the forty-ninth General Assembly session and a member of the UNICEF Executive Council Bureau have contributed to this awareness. The book contains a lot of factual data covering the history of the foundation of the Organization, its multidimensional activities in different spheres, as well as its peace-keeping efforts within its mandate to maintain peace and security.

The book.has .quite_a fewkind words about you, Mr. Secretary-General, your tireless efforts to strengthen the relevance and authority of the United Nations, your brilliant intermediary mission to settle the crisis involving Iraq in

59, rue Pierre Charron, 75008 Paris Tel.: 01 45 61 52 00 / 06 Fax : 01 45 61 52 01 1998, your difficult work to resolve the Kosovo conflict. An account of these events, which I witnessed for myself, is given in a separate chapter. I took the liberty of using in my book the photographs of you and me.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express to you, Mr. Secretary- General, my deepest appreciation for your invariable support and understanding throughout our joint work at the United Nations. I would like to wish you further great accomplishments in doing what Trygve Lie called "the most impossible job on Earth". Please give my best regards to Ms. Nane Annan. I have the warmest memories of my meetings with her.

I call my book "a declaration of love" for the United Nations. I am deeply convinced that, in the 21st century, the role and importance of this outstanding Organization will not only be maintained but also increased.

It is a great honor for me to present this book to you.

With great respect and best wishes,

Akmaral Arystanbekovi Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France

Paris